Top 4 ingredients I look out for in skincare products.

There are 4 ingredients I’m so quick to look out for when picking up new skin care products👌. They are truly wonder ingredients as any good skin care product worth its salt should boast of at least 2 of them as part of its ingredients.

Hyaluronic acid: This is also known as sodium hyaluronate. This is one silent yet powerful ingredient which is not only good for the skin but also for the joints. Hyaluronic acid is found in the body as it serves as a great support to Elastin and Collagen which are the skins major support system.Because this ingredient is found in little amounts in the body, there is need for regular top-up either by topical application as in skin care products or ingestion in form of supplements. It attracts and binds water, basically providing hydration to the skin. This is just another way of saying that it is a great moisturizing agent.

Vitamin E: Most skin care products boast of having this ingredient because of its importance in maintaining healthy skin but what they are not so quick to disclose is whether or not the vitamin E in use is natural or synthesized.Now, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between natural and synthesized vitamin E as they are almost identical. But the body responds 2 times faster and better to the natural ingredient and most times treats the synthesized counterpart as toxin. This is to say that if your skin care product has synthesized vitamin E as one of its ingredients, the probability that your skin won’t recognize it as vitamin E is high.So, how do you tell the difference? Natural vitamin E is also called d-alpha tocopherol (and apart from being more pricy, brands that use this ingredient are so quick and proud to point out their ‘natural’ ingredient on the label) while the synthesized version starts with dl– instead of d- and ends with –ate or –yl instead of –ol. You may then wonder why it’s in use at all. This is because, synthesized vitamin E is extracted from crude oil and is cheaper to process whereas the natural one is extracted from vegetable oils and more expensive to stabilize (this also affects the pricing of the end product). Vitamin E helps the skin to retain its natural moisture which is indeed very good for those with dry skin types.

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Vitamin A: This vitamin is so potent that it is contra-indicated (not advised) in high doses during pregnancy because of its ability to reprogram cells.It reduces the formation and appearance of age spots and wrinkles.It increases blood flow to the skin surface and accelerates wound healing.If you prefer the natural ingredient, look out for beta-carotene. The synthesized version is called retinyl palmitate or retinyl acetate. Using a night crème rich in vitamin A is a great skin care investment. Trust me!! It prevents acne by reducing sebum production (Oily skin types, where art thou?) It slows down the natural break down of Collagen and Elastin in the skin, making it an anti-ageing component.

Vitamin C: This vitamin is best used during the day to serve as a shield from UV rays.It is a required component in the production of Elastin and Collagen which firms and tones the skin keeping it from premature ageing and wrinkling. It is also a natural brighteners as it is good for fading age spots and freckles.

Something these 4 ingredients have in common is that they are anti-oxidants. This means that they are strategic in fighting and reversing the effects of minute chemical particles that damage all living cells.👍

So when next you are picking up skincare products, consider these four wonder ingredients as part of your arsenal.

Also don’t forget to check for expiry dates before making payments.

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